SERVICE HOUR, Saying Thanks April 15th Post #1 of 3

Hello Everyone,

You may have noticed in your neighbourhood that people are saying thank you to essential-service workers through clapping at 7:00 PM, or by putting messages of hope in their windows. This is a great way to show support, while still protecting everyone by staying home.

Here is an article from CTV about the Hearts in the Window movement.

As one of our SERVICE HOUR assignments, please make art for your window that somehow thanks the people in your community who do amazing things for us while we are in self-isolation.

You could thank your parents, essential-service workers, grocery store workers, nurses, doctors, fire fighters, police officers, electricians, water and waste management workers, and more. Be specific about who you are thanking and for what.

You can make hearts (which is what many people are doing), rainbows, or other positive images. You can also include words of support and gratitude. Put the thank yous facing outwards on your window and then take a picture of them in the window to put on your e-port, as well as a link in MS Teams assignments to show me you are done.

Ms. D is going to do this, too, and I will post a picture by end of week!

What is a PODCAST Assignment, April 14th, #3 of 3

Hello Everyone,

One of the things I am excited to try with all of you is creating a PODCAST. To do this, we will be learning the design process of making a podcast, following specific steps.

  1. What is a Podcast?
  2. How do I plan a Podcast of my own?
  3. How do I record myself through an online application?
  4. How do I make a screen icon for my recording, so people can find my Podcast?
  5. How will I upload my Podcast for others in the class to hear?

So, STEP ONE for this week. We need to better understand what a PODCAST is. I want you to listen to as many podcasts as you can. There are some listed in the category options this week.

Specifically, I want you to listen to all of these examples of Podcasts and answer the question, “What is a podcast?” There is a list on the web link of podcasts to listen to, and it also talks about how podcasts are made. I also want you to watch 3 videos from Story Corps online.

In an MS Word Document, I want you to answer these questions, using detailed observations. Then, please upload the document to MS Teams assignments.

  1. If you had to define a PODCAST, what words would you use to describe it?
  2. What are the features of a PODCAST? If you had to create one, what would you include?
  3. How is a PODCAST structured? What is the beginning, middle, and end like?
  4. What makes a good audio story? What makes it engaging so that you listen?
  5. What kind of voice helps tell a story?
  6. What do you think people would have to do to make a PODCAST? What steps would they follow?

In our small group meetings, I might ask you to talk about something you learned in a podcast. Those meetings are coming up, so please make sure you listen to at least a few podcasts during Wednesday or Thursday.

Questions? Please ask!

Ms. D

Activities & Assignments Week of April 14th, Post #2 of 3

Hello Everyone,

Here is an update of activities for the week of April 14th.

I would like you to do something from EACH category, EACH day. Having a structure to your day is important for your health. Take a deep breath, find a comfortable spot, and find an activity you like to do.

You don’t have to do activities in this order, you don’t have to do all activities marked “OPTIONAL”, and your schedule can be designed to suit your family. Please just choose something from each category list (or use activities from your own family’s choices) and commit to a chunk of time to do each category during your day.

NEED TO DO assignments are required, and they will be explained more on the blog or in MS Teams on the assignments tab. The due dates in MS Teams help provide structure and so you stay on track with the rest of the class, but you can turn in things beyond the deadline because we all have different schedules going on at home.

I hope this helps structure your time this week! Please let me know if you have questions.

_______________________________________________________________________

MAKER HOUR (60 minutes)
Do something creative! Make something new! Take a picture to document work!

Need to Do:

  • Last Week: Finish photography and e-port assignments from last week.
  • Podcasts: We will be working on PODCASTS together. But, before we do, I want you to listen to all of these examples of Podcasts and answer the question, “What is a podcast?” There is a list on the web link of podcasts to listen to, and it also talks about how podcasts are made. I also want you to watch 3 videos from Story Corps online. What do you notice about these online stories? I will put more detailed questions for you to answer and submit in MS Teams Assignments.
  • Photography Challenge #1: We will be doing a series of photography challenges to learn about being a super-awesome photographer. The first challenge is Pretend You Are a Dog. More on this in a blog post and in MS Teams Assignments.

Optional Choices:

FITNESS HOUR (60 Minutes) 
Get moving, get some exercise, get your heart pumping!

Need to Do:

  • Listen to this news story on BBC about a football player in Africa and finish your shoe workout that was assigned last week. Try to get a video of it and post a link to the video in an e-port entry.
  • Part of fitness is also monitoring your MENTAL HEALTH. What are you doing to help keep your spirits up? I use the app CALM. Ask your parents for help to get the app for free. If you can’t, then find a quiet space, put on some nice music, look at a pleasant image, and do some deep breathing to calm yourself. It is good to do this at the beginning and the end of your day.

Optional Choices:

INDIE READING (30 minutes) 
Reading, preferably offline but if you are out of books and need to go online, at least not news or current events articles.

Need to Do:

  • Read 30 minutes each day!

Optional Choices:

  • Go on to EPIC and read books from the class assignments list.
  • As you read, make a list of words you don’t know in a notebook and look them up later. Practice them by writing a short story/poem of your own which uses theses new words!
  • Read in another language
  • Build a fort with a blanket over a table or chairs and do some reading under it
  • On Amazon.ca, if you have the Kindle App, there are lots of free books to read
  • With a library card, use online resources for Burnaby/Vancouver Public Libraries
  • Use Audible for free right now to listen to tons of online audible stories.
  • Use the Burnaby School District’s Tumblebooks Account to access books online. Press the ebooks tab at the top. I sent you an email about how to access this, as you need a user ID and password.
  • Higher Level Reading — Project Gutenberg free ebooks
  • Open Library — has non-fiction and fiction options, some great for IP!
  • Need a break from reading, but love words? Complete a word search or a crossword puzzle.

SERVICE (30 minutes) 
Clean and help! Be social and connect with others and keep them company. Help the people in your family feel good. Play! Be kind! Find ways to help everyone in your family and community feel better during this stressful time!

Need to Do:

  • Make art for your window that somehow thanks the people in your community who do amazing things for us while we are in self-isolation. You could thank your parents, essential-service workers, grocery store workers, nurses, doctors, fire fighters, police officers, electricians, water and waste management workers, and more. Be specific about who you are thanking and for what. You can make hearts (which is what many people are doing), rainbows, or other positive images. Put the thank yous facing outwards on your window and then take a picture of them in the window to put on your e-port. Ms. D is going to do this, too, and I will post a picture by end of week.
  • Make connection with someone from the class. Have a ZOOM meeting if your parents are okay with it, talk to one another on Facetime, if your parents are okay with it, or use any other way to get in touch. Play a game together — for example, one person can have a chess board, and the other person can tell them where to move the pieces. Or, play a board game that way. Find a way to connect!

Optional Choices:

  • Play a pen and paper game with a family member (ex. dots and boxes, sprouts, 24, battleships, Go-Maku, Boggle, etc.)
  • Play a card game with a family member (or as a whole family!)
  • Look through old photo albums together and share memories
  • Play Charades or use the Heads Up app
  • Have an untimed Iron Chef contest with the whole family. Choose an ingredient, and everyone makes a different dish.
  • Prepare a mini lesson and teach someone something you’ve recently learned
  • Participate in the 7PM NOISE outside, done by the community to say thank you to our first responders and healthcare workers!
  • Make a homemade gift for members of your family, and learn how to wrap them using Furoshiki, the art of Japanese gift wrapping
  • Prepare a musical performance to share with your family after dinner.
  • Organize a family game activity.
  • Play a round of Rock-Paper-Scissors-Stretch with a family member
  • Create a dinner night, with fancy napkins, table, outfits, menus, decorations, etc. so when you can’t go out, there is something fun to do at home.
  • Make a shopping list for the family
  • Unload or load the dishwasher
  • Sweep or vacuum the house
  • Call a grandparent, family member, or friend to help them feel connected during this time of isolation
  • Help with the laundry — loading, folding, putting things away
  • Dust the house or blinds
  • Clean windows
  • Help with the garbage, recycling, or compost runs
  • Clean off counters
  • Wipe doorknobs and high-touch spaces with cleaner
  • Take care of a pet
  • Clean the toilet
  • Organize recycling
  • Watch your younger sibling so your parents can have a break
  • Make a dinner for your family so they have a break from it!

GENIUS HOUR (60 minutes) 
Learn something new and document your learning in some way.

Need to Do:

  • IP:  Review websites provided by Ms. Ho on the blog and take notes in Class Notebook or a shared One Drive document with Ms. D so I can see your notes. If you have already seen the websites, I still would like to see your notes so far for IP either in Class Notebook or a document.
  • IP:  Look at this document and make sure you understand how to cite your sources for your project bibliography. Do the practice examples they give you. If you are using Easy Bib, you still need to ensure your bibliography has correct format and lists resources correctly. Each type of resources (book, website, etc.) is cited in a different way.
  • DIGITAL CITIZENS!:  The Burnaby School District has provided a Digital Web Quest to talk about digital citizenship. Finish this, and there will be a digital citizenship quiz posted in MS Teams for you to do by the end of the week.
  • CRITICAL THINKING/INQUIRY:  From last week, finish Can You Believe It on the Exploratorium’s website and find seven questions you should ask yourself when reading scientific claims (such as those about COVID-19 in the news.) Post the questions in MS Teams in a new MS Word document.
  • TYPING: If you don’t have access to All the Right Type or need your user ID and password, please contact Ms. D. We will work toward finishing all the typing levels by June 10th. Given how much work we are doing on the computer, typing is a great skill to have!

Optional Choices:

UNIT, NUMERACY, LITERACY HOUR (60 minutes)
Specific learning opportunities at grade level or connected to our unit.

Need to Do:

  • RSVP for a small-group meeting with classmates to discuss topics related to our unit. Look for the email to come from Ms. D this week.
  • LITERACY – Pen Pal:  Respond to the pen pal letter you received by answering questions and responding to stories. Copy Ms. D on your email response.
  • LITERACY – Invent a Sport:  To practice more of our creative writing, use of higher vocabulary, and descriptive detail, write about an invented sport during the time of social distancing. Watch this video prompt. You can collaborate with others, or do it on your own. Post your writing on your e-port with a picture showing you playing a part of the game. See assignment on the blog/MS Teams.
  • LITERACY-Tell the Story of Lost Shoes:  To practice creative writing, watch this video prompt and write about the untold story of your lost shoes.
  • SCIENCE – Microscopic Things: Finish Science Snacks on the San Francisco Exploratorium’s website and do the activity called Life Size to understand the size of microscopic things. If you can’t print out the handout, just make a list of your own of the items on the handout using scrap pieces of paper.
  • MATH – Financial Literacy, Making a Budget:  Do the assignment on MS Teams about the Class Library Budget.
  • MATH – Critical Thinking Window Data:  Do the Outside Your Window activity on You Cubed, and post a picture in an e-port of your window observations and visual representations.
  • UNIT – Socials/Science, Resources:  Look for resources in your house, which will be explained on the blog and in MS Teams assignments.
  • UNIT – Socials/Science/LA:  Read assigned pages in the Geology book on EPIC and answer questions, which can be found in MS Teams under Assignments.

Optional Choices:

Questions? Email me!

With kindness,

Ms. D

Independent Project Research Links April 14 Post #1 of 3

Hello Everyone!  Many thanks to Ms. Ho, our Suncrest librarian, for providing some links for each student to access for their independent project. I will also be adding to this list over time. Please scroll down to find your name and topic, and then please go to each website and review it for information, taking notes as you go for your project. Don’t forget to put the website in your list of resources if you use it for information.

JOONE:  SENSE OF TASTE 

How does our sense of taste work? 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279408/ 

The science of taste 

https://foodinsight.org/the-science-of-taste/ 

 Taste disorders 

https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/taste-disorders 

Special senses:  taste 

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/austincc-ap1/chapter/special-senses-taste-gustation/ 


YICHEN:  MARINE FOSSILS
 

National Geographic:  fossils 

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/fossil/

Fossil management in British Columbia 

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/natural-resource-use/fossil-management 

Grand Canyon:  marine fossils 

https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/nature/fossils.htm 

American museum of natural history 

https://www.amnh.org/shelf-life/episode-06-the-tiniest-fossils

 

CHARLES:  PLANETS / SOLAR SYSTEM 

Nasa science:  solar system exploration 

https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/ 

The nine planets 

https://nineplanets.org/ 

Encyclopaedia Britannica:  solar system 

https://www.britannica.com/science/solar-system 

National Geographic:  solar system (requires free sign up) 

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/space/our-solar-system/

 

MAVIS:  HOW CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECTS POLAR BEARS 

WWF:  polar bears and climate change 

https://www.worldwildlife.org/pages/polar-bears-and-climate-change 

Polar bears international:  polar bears 

https://polarbearsinternational.org/climate-change/ 

Carbon brief:  polar bears and climate change:  what does the science say? 

https://www.carbonbrief.org/polar-bears-and-climate-change-what-does-the-science-say 

National Geographic:  4 ways polar bears are dealing with climate change (requires free sign up) 

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2015/09/150904-polar-bears-dolphins-seals-climate-change/ 


SASHA:  HISTORY AND SCIENCE OF CHOCOLATE
 

Live science:  chocolate facts, effects and history 

https://www.livescience.com/61754-chocolate-facts.html 

Michigan State University:  chocolate science, history and fun facts (5 part series) 

https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/chocolate_science_history_and_fun_facts_part_1 

Explain that stuff!:  the science of chocolate 

https://www.explainthatstuff.com/scienceofchocolate.html 

Malaysian journal of pathology:  the history and science of chocolate 

http://www.mjpath.org.my/2013.2/history-and-science-of-chocolate.pdf 


DANIE:  SHARK EVOLUTION, PREHISTORY / MODERN 

Natural history museum:  shark evolution, a 450 million year timeline 

https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/shark-evolution-a-450-million-year-timeline.html 

National Geographic:  these sharks have evolved to walk on land – and they did it quickly (NG allows 3 free online articles) 

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2020/01/walking-sharks-new-species-evolving-fast/ 

Evolution institute:  the intriguing history of shark evolution 

https://evolution-institute.org/the-intriguing-history-of-shark-evolution/ 

CNN  How Sharks Adapted to Suit Environment
 

AMBROSE:  APPLICATIONS OF GREKE AND EGYPTIAN MATH 

Greek legacy:  how the ancient Greeks shaped modern mathematics (video) 

https://thekidshouldseethis.com/post/ancient-greeks-modern-mathematics 

 Explorable:  Egyptian mathematics 

https://explorable.com/egyptian-mathematics 

 Institute of mathematics and its applications 

https://www.mathscareers.org.uk/11-14/ 

 Mathigon:  applications of mathematics 

https://mathigon.org/applications 

 

MICHAEL:  CONFUSTION, FIRE, FLAMMABILITY, MATCHES, FIRE CHIEF 

Encyclopaedia Britannica:  combustion 

https://www.britannica.com/science/combustion 

 Combustion reactions in chemistry 

https://www.thoughtco.com/combustion-reactions-604030 

 Nova:  the science of fire (click on printable version and follow links) 

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/physics/science-fire.html 

 Science learning hub:  what is fire? 

https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/747-what-is-fire 

 

 ELLA:  BIRDS OF PARADISE COURTSHIP  

BBC:  the mysterious dating dances of the birds of paradise 

http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20150129-why-do-birds-of-paradise-dance 

 Cornell lab:  birds of paradise project 

http://www.birdsofparadiseproject.org/ 

 San Diego zoo:  birds of paradise 

https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/bird-paradise 

 PBS:  nature 

https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/search-results/?q=birds%20of%20paradise#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=birds%20of%20paradise&gsc.page=1 

 

NIHAL:  SYNESTHESIA 

Encyclopaedia Britannica:  synthesia 

https://www.britannica.com/science/synesthesia 

 American Psychological Association:  everyday fantasia:  the world of synthesia 

https://www.apa.org/monitor/mar01/synesthesia 

 Synesthesia test 

https://www.synesthesiatest.org/ 

 Science news for students:  the colorful world of synesthesia 

https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/colorful-world-synesthesia 

 

LEO:  ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE – ALEXA 

Alexa:  what is artificial intelligence? 

https://www.getsmarter.com/blog/career-advice/what-is-artificial-intelligence/ 

 Cnet:  Amazon’s future vison of AI, warehouse bots and Alexa 

https://www.cnet.com/news/amazons-future-vision-of-ai-warehouse-bots-and-alexa/ 

 Science Focus:  exploring artificial intelligence with Jim Al-Kahlili 

https://www.sciencefocus.com/future-technology/exploring-artificial-intelligence-with-jim-al-khalili/ 

 The future of artificial intelligence 

https://builtin.com/artificial-intelligence/artificial-intelligence-future 

 

 MIA:  HOW IS ANIMATION MADE? 

How products are made:  animation 

http://www.madehow.com/Volume-3/Animation.html 

 How computer animation works 

https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/computer-animation1.htm 

 How stuff works:  the future of animation 

https://computer.howstuffworks.com/web-animation8.htm 

 

AYDEN:  VOLCANOES 

National geographic:  volcanoes explained (3 free articles then free subscription required) 

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/natural-disasters/volcanoes/ 

 Smithsonian:  global volcanism project 

http://volcano.si.edu/ 

 USGS:  volcanoes 

https://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/volc/text.html 

 Live science:  volcano facts and types of volcanoes 

https://www.livescience.com/27295-volcanoes.html 

 American museum of natural history:  space volcanoes in 360 

https://www.amnh.org/shelf-life/space-volcanoes-in-360 

 

 WARREN:  VIRTUAL REALITY 

Franklin institute:  virtual reality 

https://www.fi.edu/virtual-reality 

 History of virtual reality 

https://www.vrs.org.uk/virtual-reality/history.html 

 Learning hub:  the very real history of virtual reality (+ a look ahead) 

https://learn.g2.com/history-of-virtual-reality 

 

SHERA:  DRAGON’S TRIANGLE / DEVIL’S SEA 

National geographic:  another Bermuda Triangle, the Devil’s Sea (video) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWwitNJ45FU 

 Maritime manual:  the unsolved mystery of Devil’s Sea 

https://www.maritimemanual.com/devils-sea-dragons-triangle/ 

 Ancient origins:  Bermuda triangle of the Pacific 

https://www.ancient-origins.net/unexplained-phenomena/bermuda-triangle-pacific-devil-s-sea-connected-missing-ships-and-other-strange-021511 

  

VICTORIA:  CONSTELLATIONS 

NASA:  constellations 

https://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/k-4/dictionary/Constellation.html 

https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/search/constellations/ 

 NASA:  more to explore:  stars, constellations and astronomy 

https://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/k-4/more_to_explore/Stars-Contellations-Astronomy.html 

National Geographic:  stars – facts and information 

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/space/universe/stars/ 

Lunar and planetary institute:  about constellations 

https://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/skytellers/constellations/ 


LUCIA:  METHANE EFFECTS ON CLIMATE
 

United Nations:  why methane matters 

https://unfccc.int/news/new-methane-signs-underline-urgency-to-reverse-emissions 

 Phys.org:  methane bubbles are effect and cause of rise in temperature 

https://phys.org/news/2017-11-methane-effect-temperature.html 

 Environmental defense fund:  climate impacts of methane emissions 

https://www.edf.org/climate-impacts-methane-emissions 

 National geographic:  methane facts and information 

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/methane/ 

 Climate and clean air coalition:  methane 

https://ccacoalition.org/en/slcps/methane 

 

ABHINANDA:  RENEWABLE ENERGY 

Energy hub:  creating a global sustainable energy system 

https://energyhub.org/ 

 United Nations:  ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy 

https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/energy/ 

 Government of Canada:  renewable energy facts 

https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/science-and-data/data-and-analysis/energy-data-and-analysis/energy-facts/renewable-energy-facts/20069 

 

DASHA:  TINY HOUSE REVOLUTION 

Tiny house movement 

https://thetinylife.com/what-is-the-tiny-house-movement/ 

 We the tiny house people (documentary) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDcVrVA4bSQ 

 Full history of the tiny house movement 

https://cozeliving.com/tiny-house-movement/ 

 

 NINAD:  SUPER VOLCANOES (YELLOWSTONE) 

National Geographic:  supervolcanoes – facts and information 

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/earth/reference/supervolcano-yellowstone/ 

 USGS:  what is a supervolcano?  What is a supereruption? 

https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-a-supervolcano-what-a-supereruption?qt-news_science_products=0#qt-news_science_products 

 Stanford news:  new source of energy-critical lithium found in supervolcanoes 

https://news.stanford.edu/2017/08/16/supervolcanoes-key-americas-electric-future/ 

 BBC science:  supervolcanoes 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/horizon/1999/supervolcanoes_script.shtml 

 

STEPHANIE:  DEEP SEA EXPLORATION (MARIANA’S TRENCH) 

Mariana trench 

https://www.marianatrench.com/ 

 National Geographic:  the Mariana’s trench:  deepest place on earth 

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/activity/mariana-trench-deepest-place-earth/ 

 NOAA fisheries:  Mariana’s trench marine national monument 

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pacific-islands/habitat-conservation/marianas-trench-marine-national-monument 

 Live science:  Mariana trench, the deepest depths 

https://www.livescience.com/23387-mariana-trench.html 

 Nautilus live:  science of deep sea exploration 

https://nautiluslive.org/science 

 

CARL:  DYXLEXIA 

International dyslexia association 

https://dyslexiaida.org/ 

 What is dyslexia? 

https://www.understood.org/en/learning-thinking-differences/child-learning-disabilities/dyslexia/what-is-dyslexia 

 Celebrate dyslexia 

https://celebratedyslexia.org/ 


STELLA:  VEGANISM 

Vegan society 

https://www.vegansociety.com/ 

 Vegan health 

https://veganhealth.org/ 

 Vegetarian and “healthy” diets could be more harmful to the environment 

https://www.cmu.edu/news/stories/archives/2015/december/diet-and-environment.html 

 BBC:  are there health benefits to going vegan? 

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200122-are-there-health-benefits-to-going-vegan